WhatsApp Business Integration Setup

Connect your own WhatsApp Business number to AskYourDatabase for direct messaging capabilities. This guide will walk you through setting up a Twilio account, configuring WhatsApp Business API, and connecting it to your chatbot.

Overview

By setting up your own WhatsApp Business integration, you can:

• Use your own WhatsApp Business phone number
• Have full control over message delivery and rates
• Customize WhatsApp templates and branding
• Access detailed messaging analytics through Twilio

Prerequisites

Before starting, ensure you have:

• A verified WhatsApp Business account
• A Twilio account (we'll help you create one)
• Your chatbot already created and configured in AskYourDatabase

Step 1: Create a Twilio Account

1. Sign up for Twilio

   • Go to console.twilio.com (opens in a new tab)
   • Click "Sign up" and create your account
   • Complete email verification

2. Verify your account

   • Provide phone number verification
   • Add billing information (required for WhatsApp Business API)

3. Get your account credentials

   • Note down your Account SID and Auth Token from the dashboard
   • These will be needed later for configuration

Step 2: Set Up WhatsApp Business Account

1. Access WhatsApp Senders

   • In your Twilio Console, navigate to Messaging → Senders → WhatsApp senders
   • Click "Create new sender"

2. Register your WhatsApp Business number

   • Select "Use an existing WhatsApp Business Account"
   • Follow the WhatsApp Business Account registration process
   • Verify your business information and phone number

3. Complete WhatsApp Business verification

   • Provide required business documentation
   • Wait for Meta's approval (typically 1-3 business days)
   • Ensure your WhatsApp Business Account ID is noted

Step 3: Configure WhatsApp Sender in Twilio

1. Create WhatsApp Sender

   • In Twilio Console, go to Messaging → Senders → WhatsApp senders
   • Click "Create new sender"

2. Configure sender details

   • Business display name: Your business name as it appears to customers
   • WhatsApp Business Account ID: From your Meta Business Manager
   • Phone number: Your WhatsApp Business phone number (format: +1234567890)

3. Set webhook URL

   • Webhook URL for incoming messages: https://www.askyourdatabase.com/api/whatsapp/webhook
   • HTTP Method: POST
   • Content Type: application/x-www-form-urlencoded

4. Save configuration
   • Review all settings
   • Click "Create sender"
   • Wait for the sender to be activated (status should show "Online")

Step 4: Configure Message Templates (Optional)

WhatsApp Business API requires approved templates for certain message types:

1. Access Content Template Builder

   • In Twilio Console, go to Messaging → Content Template Builder
   • Create templates for common scenarios (welcome messages, notifications)

2. Submit for approval

   • Design your templates following WhatsApp's guidelines
   • Submit to Meta for approval
   • Wait for approval (typically 24-48 hours)

Step 5: Connect to AskYourDatabase

1. Add phone number to customer list

   • In your AskYourDatabase dashboard, go to your chatbot settings
   • Navigate to WhatsApp tab
   • Add the WhatsApp Business phone numbers that should have access
   • Format: +1234567890 (include country code)

2. Test the integration

   • Send a test message from an authorized phone number to your WhatsApp Business number
   • Verify that the chatbot responds correctly
   • Check that messages appear in your AskYourDatabase chat history

Important Configuration Notes

Webhook URL

Always use the exact webhook URL:

https://www.askyourdatabase.com/api/whatsapp/webhook

Phone Number Format

• Always include the country code (e.g., +1 for US)
• No spaces, dashes, or special characters
• Correct: +15551234567
• Incorrect: (555) 123-4567, +1 555-123-4567

Message Limits

• WhatsApp Business API has rate limits
• Twilio provides 1,000 free messages per month for new accounts
• Check Twilio pricing for additional message costs

Troubleshooting

Common Issues

"Phone number not authorized" error

• Ensure the phone number is added to your customer list in AskYourDatabase
• Check that the number format includes the country code
• Verify the number matches exactly (no extra spaces or characters)

Webhook not receiving messages

• Verify the webhook URL is set correctly in Twilio
• Check that your WhatsApp sender status is "Online"
• Ensure messages are being sent from authorized phone numbers

WhatsApp sender showing "Offline"

• Complete Meta Business verification process
• Check that your WhatsApp Business Account is active
• Verify all required business information is provided

Testing Your Setup

1. Send a test message

   From: [Authorized phone number]
   To: [Your WhatsApp Business number]
   Message: "Hello, show me my data"

2. Expected response

   • The chatbot should respond with a relevant answer
   • Response time should be within a few seconds
   • Message should appear in your AskYourDatabase dashboard

3. Check logs

   • Monitor your Twilio Console logs for delivery status
   • Check AskYourDatabase chat history for message records

Security Considerations

• Webhook Security: The webhook endpoint validates Twilio signatures automatically
• Access Control: Only phone numbers in your customer list can interact with the chatbot
• Data Privacy: All messages are encrypted and stored securely
• Compliance: Ensure your WhatsApp usage complies with Meta's Business API policies

Pricing Information

Twilio Costs

• Setup: Free account creation
• Messages: Pay per message sent/received (rates vary by country)
• Phone Number: Monthly fee for WhatsApp Business number (if applicable)

WhatsApp Business API Costs

• Business-initiated messages: Charged per message
• User-initiated responses: Free within 24-hour window
• Template messages: Separate pricing for marketing messages

Visit Twilio's pricing page (opens in a new tab) for current rates.

Next Steps

After successful setup:

1. Test thoroughly with different message types and scenarios
2. Train your team on WhatsApp Business messaging best practices
3. Monitor usage through Twilio Console analytics
4. Scale up by adding more authorized phone numbers as needed

Support

If you encounter issues during setup:

• Check Twilio's WhatsApp Business API documentation
• Review Meta's WhatsApp Business API policies
• Contact AskYourDatabase support for chatbot-specific questions
• Use Twilio Support for account and messaging issues

Note: WhatsApp Business API approval and setup can take several business days. Plan accordingly when implementing this integration for production use.